Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Datta Jayanti Day 1 – December 1, 2017 – Mysore
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda
The Bhagavatam recording has been going on for three years. Despite tours and a lot of other activity, I am recording the Bhagavatam. It feels like a burden. The Bhagavatam recording is not the burden. All other work is the burden – the tours, eating, sitting, sleeping, interviews etc. Bhagavatam is such a big force.
I am currently recording the Bhagavatam in Telugu. I will record later in Kannada. It is very hard to understand and describe the original Bhagavatam in full detail (Moola Bhagavatam). It eats up a lot of time. That is why, in the last three days, I have been doing a lot of recording. I came to the last portion of the Bhagavatam. Some traditions stipulate that the recording not be stopped in those portions. So, I have to finish the recording. That is the rule. Incidentally, I came to that point yesterday and today. So, I have to record. I can see only the Bhagavatam everywhere. I see only Lord Sri Hari everywhere. I see nothing else. I can only see his miracles (Leela). I only see his feet wherever I look. I feel like nothing else matters. Nothing else is needed. Just going inward and contemplating on the Lord is enough. If you do it, you will understand what I am saying. In the last four days, I have been recording the 11th canto. Those who are listening to the 11th canto will definitely gain dispassion. Even the hardest of hearts will gain dispassion. Hearts filled with desire and anger will be washed off it and will gain dispassion. In these portions of the Bhagvatam, we see the influence of the words of great sages, Lord Datta’s words, Lord Krishna’s words, the final words of Sage Shuka to Parikshit, the conversation of Saunaka and other sages etc.
The 11th and 12th cantos will fill us with dispassion. The rest of the Bhagavatam is stories of the Lord to instill devotion so that we can get to this point of dispassion. There is no use trying to get straight to this point of Bhagavatam. We will not understand. The mind will not be purified. Devotion will not be stable. Dispassion will not arise. Knowledge will not find a hold in us.
I do not even feel like talking. I feel as if I could do Bhagavatam recording instead of speaking to you like this. I am untouched by things around me. I forget everything. I even forget the names of people. I do not remember the Bhajans I wrote. My mind is blank. I am asking you also to do that. I forget whether or not I ate. It is a beautiful state of immersion in the Lord. Due to some karma, I am here with you. I gave Lord Brahma my word, so I have to be here. I gave my mother my word that I would be in this body. I am using this body. Just as I am using you (devotees to do service), I am using this body. All the organs of perception (jnanendriyas), organs of action (karmendriyas), this body – all this is a play. I am just happy. I have nothing. The 11th and 12th cantos of Bhagavatam will give you that feeling. Do not leave the rest of the Bhagavatam and come straight to these cantos. If you do that, you will need to check in to a mental hospital. There may be a lot of detailed commentary sometimes. That is required so that it can be understood clearly. Even then, people cannot easily understand the commentary after the 10th canto. If you listen to the 10th canto seven times with rapt attention, you will be filled with devotion for the Lord. If you listen to it while being attached to the things of the world, it will not work. Only when you detach from the world around and listen with concentration will it have the desired effect.
I will tell you a secret. Do not waste time unnecessarily. Anger, desire, hankering after kids – let go of all of this. Are your grandparents still with you? If you remember this (the impermanence of life), that is enough. We should not grieve about their loss. Everyone has their journey. The Bhagavatam talks about our journey. It only talks about going away, it does not talk about coming back and rebirth. I am not saying rebirth is a lie. At one level, it is correct.
Many people are getting old. You must listen to the Bhagavatam at least now with devotion. Hold on to the Lord’s feet with devotion. It is the eternal abode for all of us. Children and grandchildren will not come with you. Bhagavatam teaches you that. It teaches you dispassion. When you earn that devotion and dispassion by the end of 10th canto, the Bhagavatam immediately gives you the 11th canto. That is final. If you stealthily go straight the 11th canto instead, do not come to the Ashrama. Go directly to the hospital. You will definitely not understand it.
We are all humans. We eat, speak, converse, worry etc. What a drama all this is. If Bala Swamiji would give me permission, I’ll go to the Himalayas right now. If I go there, there will be a queue there as well. Demons, humans, gods will all line up there too. I give everyone answers (to their questions and problems), so they will not let go of me. It is better I be here. I can escape. The sun is also coming out. He is also showing compassion. I went to record Bhagavatam (earlier today). Until the mangalam (conclusion) is done, I will not let go. I am doing this for you. I do not want this insanity (of Bhagavatam) to go away. I am praying to Lord Krishna to keep this insanity.
Sri Guru Datta